Amos Rex was awarded as concrete structure of the year 2018 for skillful architectural and structural design as well as high-quality construction and implementation.
Amos Rex is a spectacular building complex, which consists of new underground exhibition spaces, the Lasipalats restored to its old glory with its cinemas, and the Lasipalats event square that towers over the roof of the exhibition spaces. The site is an excellent example of the use of concrete, where the modifiable interior spaces of the museum complex and especially the museum's demanding underground structures and above-ground dome structures emphasize the possibilities offered by the building material. With the effective cooperation of all parties and the competent use of concrete, an interesting architectural ensemble has been achieved that is technically successful, expressive and equipped with skillful details, which contributes to creating a new interactive, lively public urban space and culture of encounters and events.
of JKMM Arkkitehdit Oy designed by Amos Rex is an exemplary object of architectural ambition and skill. Concrete has been used comprehensively in all the structures of the house and several interior surfaces, such as the stairs and floors of the main entrance. The winning work combines architectural and structural design, innovative space planning and skillful and high-quality construction in a significant way.
Three centuries meet in Lasipalatsi square: the Turku military barracks built at the beginning of the 1800th century, the funk building Lasipalatsi built in the 1900th century, and Amos Rex, which joined the place in the 2000st century and combines culture and open urban space. The underground interior of Amos Rex is seen outside as organic humps, mounds and skylights that create an open living space for the city dwellers. Inside, they play an important structural role and create flexible, open exhibition spaces where a wide variety of exhibitions can be built. Amos Rex is smoothly connected to the surrounding building base, both in terms of material maintenance for the main premises and museum operations.
The demanding foundation and rock structures, and below the museum, the undisturbed operation of the subway had to be ensured both during the planning and construction period. The technically demanding demolition and support work as well as the dimensioning and implementation of the new structures required careful planning and preparation. In the area of the new building, the height of the rock excavation breast at the wall line of the old Rex was well over ten meters, and at the southern end of the building, the new building was founded on piles. The protected chimney in the middle of the Lasipalatsi square was left in place and the underground heating center below it was dismantled. The pipe stood on steel supports during the work, and a lot of old structures and rock were excavated from under the pipe. The protected chimney is now equipped with a fresh air intake and waste air exhaust route for the museum premises, as well as an exit route.
Amos Rex's cast-in-place reinforced concrete dome vaults enable large pillar-less spaces underground for exhibitions. The concrete structure of the upper floor has three domes of different sizes, from which a skylight cone rises. The part of the flat water roof also has two skylight cones. The longest spans of the domes designed with data modeling for Amos Rex's exhibition spaces are 32 meters. The concrete structures of the domes have utilized the material's maximum compressive strength and concrete technology. The concreting work on the slanted surfaces has been very demanding.
The underground art museum has thick concrete structures on the edges of the upper domes and on the floors of the exhibition hall. In order to dry thick concrete structures, a new concrete drying method based on closed and heated air circulation and suction of moisture from the structures was developed.
The mounds of the Lasipalatsi square are covered with cloverleaf-shaped and round concrete stones designed by the architect. The demanding and precise installation and sealing work of more than 2000 square meters of paving has been done with special precision and care.
The site is a good example of a public building, where environmentally friendly, sustainable and high-quality construction has been achieved through the versatile use of concrete. The project has utilized the already existing building stock and is a perfect example of the change in the purpose of use of buildings and the recyclability. Special attention has also been paid to the durability of the structure and materials of the new construction. The realized object is proof of professional construction, seamless cooperation of different parties, first-class design, implementation and craftsmanship.
Amos Rex was implemented as a joint project of the City of Helsinki and Föreningen Konstsamfundet. Amos Rex is a private art museum whose activities are financed by Konstsamfundet. The renovation of the protected Glass Palace was an important part of the project: 6 square meters. The share of new construction was 700 square meters.
Planning began in 2013 and construction began in January 2016. The museum's first exhibition opened to the public in August 2018.
Amos Rex, Helsinki
The following will be awarded for planning and implementation:
- Builder: Föreningen Konstsamfundet RF
- Ordered by: Fastighets Ab Glaspalatset i Helsingfors
- User: Amos Rex
- Builder consultant and
- project management: Haahtela-rakennuttaning Oy
- Architectural design: JKMM Arkkitehdit Oy
- Structural design: Sipti Oy,
- Structural design, domes: Sweco Rakennekteinkiak Oy
- HVAC design: Ramboll Finland Oy
- Contractor: Haahtela Oy
- Manufacturer of concrete blocks: Rakennusbetoni- ja Elementti Oy
- Environmental construction: Viher-Pirkka Oy
More information and announcements:
- Betoniteollisuus ry: Maritta Koivisto, mobile 040-9003577 or maritta.koivisto@betoni.com
- http://www.betoni.com/tapahtumat/vuoden-betonirakenne
- The object's press release and photos can be found at:
http://betoni.com/medialle/kuvapankki/betonipaivat-ja-nayttely/vuoden-betonirakenne/
The Concrete Structure of the Year competition has been organized since 1970 and 11 proposals participated in it this year. The award is given on the basis of an annual competition to the building site that best represents Finnish concrete construction. The purpose of the competition is to make known and promote Finnish concrete architecture, technology and construction. The competition was organized by Betoniteollisuus ry.
Bbetonirakenne of the year 2018 jury:
Chairman:
- Managing Director, Tech.Sc., Jussi Mattila, Betoniteollisuus ry
Membership:
- architect SAFA, Jussi Murole, Finnish Association of Architects SAFA
- construction architect RIA, Asko Eerola, Construction engineers and architects RIA
- dipl.ins., Pekka Talaskivi, Finnish Association of Civil Engineers RIL
- managing director, technologist, Tarja Merikallio, Suomen Betoniyhdistys ry
- editor in chief, Tapio Kivistö, Rakennuslehti
Secretary:
- editor-in-chief, architect SAFA, Maritta Koivisto, Betoniteollisuus ry, Betoni-lehti
Concrete Structure of the Year 2018 nominees:
Listed in processing order.
- Amos Rex, Helsinki – JKMM Architects
- Huvila Askainen, Turku – Eräpohja Arkkitehdit Oy
- Oodi central library – ALA Architects
- Laitaatsalmi bridge, Savonlinna
- HUS Hyvinkää hospital – Arkitehdit Kontukoski Oy
- Children's Hospital Helsinki – SARC Oy
- Väre, Aalto University – Verstas Arkkitehdit Oy
- Eteläranta 10: facade repair – Petäjä Arkkitehdit Oy
- Hybrid building Kruunuparkki 5 – Arkitehtoimisto NRT Oy
- Tampere Lumina – Architectural office BST
- Niskaparkki residential and parking building, Joensuu – Arkkitehtoimisto Arcadia Oy